Display rack



Jan. 26, 1943. D. H. BITNEY 2,309,435

' DISPLAY RACK Original Filed Jan. '7, 1&339

BY f ,f%-M

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1943 DISPLAY RACK Dewey H. Bitney, Albion, Mich., assignor to Union Steel Products Company, Albion, Mich., a corporation of Michigan (Briginal application January 7, 1939, Serial No. 249,710. Divided and this application January 13, 1940, Serial No. 313,685

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in display racks.

This application is a division of my application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 249,710, filed January 7, 1939, which has become U. S. Patent #2,235,977 on March 25, 1941.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved display rack which may be readily adapted for the display of seeds in packets or for the display of other merchandise. I

Second, to provide a display rack which may be shipped in the knockdown and set up by merchants or others without the aid of tools, and at the same time one which when set up is strong and rigid even when made of quite light material.

Third, to provide an all-metal display rack which is attractive in appearance notwithstanding the simplicity of structure thereof.

Fourth, to provide a display rack having these advantages which when knocked down may be very compactly arranged for shipment or storage.

Fifth, to provide a tray unit for the display of seeds which is effective for the purpose, attractive in appearance, and at the same time economical in structure.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a display rack in accordance with my invention, including one embodiment of article receiving tray supported thereby.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in section on a line correspondingto line 22 of Fig. 1 illustrating details of the tray construction and the manner of supporting the same on the rack.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation illustrating a tray of the type employed in the construction of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially broken away and in section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 illustrating details of the construction.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a modified form of tray unit applicable to the rack of my invention.

The present invention relates to a display rack consisting of a pair of similar end members designated by the reference numeral I, each of which comprises corner uprights 2 connected at their upper ends by the top cross piece 3 formed integrally therewith and at their lower ends by a pair of cross pieces 4 welded to the uprights. I also preferably provide an intermediate cross piece 5 welded to the uprights. are provided with pairs of loop-like socket members 6 adapted toreceive downturned dowel elements or members I on the tray members or units, generally indicated by the reference numeral 8.

When the rack is assembled the end members are held against pivotal collapsing movement on their dowels by the tray units 8. The tray units are made up of the continuous top frames 9 which are adapted to fit between the uprights of the end members and serve as braces therefor.

. In the type of tray illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the tray unit is provided with the downwardly projecting dowels I secured as by welding to the sides of the frame 9, which dowels are engageable with the sockets 6 on the end member uprights so that the tray unit constitutes both the longitudinal and bracing means for the frame. The tray is of the basket type having aplurality of U-shaped transversely spaced longitudinally extending elements I0 welded to the front and rear sides of frame 9 and a plurality of intersecting longitudinally and transversely extending wires II of.

smaller gauge stock likewise secured by welding to the frame whereby to constitute a bottom and sides for the tray.

In Fig. 5 I illustrate a somewhat modified embodiment of tray unit applicable to the rack as above described, this unit being generally'designated I2 and consisting of a continuous top frame I3, which, like frame 9, is adapted to fit between the uprights of the end members and serve as a brace therefor. The tray unit I2 is provided with a plurality of trays I 4 arranged in stepped series, these trays being formed of looplike elements I5 having angled arms I6, as illustrated in my copending application identified above. The looped ends of the elements l5 constitute the rear walls of the trays and the angled portions of their arms I6 the bottoms thereof.

Th upright portions of the angled arms I6 are welded to cross rods I! which are in turn welded to the side members of the frame I3, while the opposite ends of the arms I6 are welded to cross rods I8 which are in turn welded to the aforesaid upright portions of the arms. The front tray elements have further upturned portions I9 which are welded to the top frame I3.

Reinforcing cross pieces 29 are provided extending across and secured to the portions I6 of the trays at portions intermediate thereof,

These uprights these cross pieces terminating in upturned ends 21 secured to frame l3. This provides a very strong construction, although the parts are of light material.

If desired, further partition rods. may be provided extending from front to rear of either form of the above described trays dividing the same into pockets adapted to receive seed packets or other merchandise, as illustrated in the aforesaid copending application.

The foregoing construction is light in weight, economical in material, but nevertheless amply strong and rigid for its purpose. It is unnecessary to provide longitudinal members connecting the end members I of the rack, this function being performed by the tray units 'of which there may be any desired number. These units, moreover, provide a very efficient bracing means resisting pivotal collapsing movement of the end members. V

I have illustrated anddescribd'my improvements in embodiments which are 'very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is'believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a display rack, the combination of a pair of end members comprising uprights and connecting cross members therefor f said uprights having loop-like sockets welded thereto, and tray units comprising frames and a plurality of trays arranged in stepped relation secured within said frames, said tray frames being provided with downwardly directed dowels engageable with said sockets, said tray units constituting longitudinal members extending between the uprights.

2,111 a display rack, the combination of uprights provided withlaterally disposed sockets,

and rectangular rack members comprising wire rod top frames having end members and downwardly directed rod-like dowels welded externally ,on said end members and engageable with said sockets whereby said rack members are supported on said'uprights in the space between the latter and thejrack members constitute the sole longitudinal members and bracing members for the uprights.

3. ma display rack, the combination of uprights provided with laterally disposed sockets,

Irights provided'with internal laterally disposed sockets, and rectangular rack members'provided with downwardly directed dowels secured externally of the members and engaged with said sockets to'support the rack members in the space between'said uprights, said rack members constituting the sole longitudinal connecting members 'for said uprights.

DEWEY 'I-I. BITNEY. 

